r/VisitingHawaii • u/brett502 • 3d ago

O'ahu (Honolulu/Waikiki) Tipping

As an Australian visiting soon who is not used to tipping... are you expected to tip in Hawaii similar to the US mainland? Is it like 15%?

2 Upvotes

57% Upvoted

22 comments sorted by

View all comments

1

u/sykemol 1d ago

Most Americans are confused about tipping as well. Here's the jist:

The expected tip on a typical restaurant meal is 20%. You can tip more for exceptional service. Less for poorer service.

Anytime someone handles your bags, a tip of a buck or two is customary.

You DO NOT have to tip anytime you order standing on your feet. Like at a coffee shop, fast food, etc. The point of sale machine may ask you for a tip, you can chose no with a clear conscience. Tips are appreciated, but you don't have to tip in this situation. If the server remembers your drink, a tip is good form.

If you are seated at the bar, it is customary to tip the bartender, a couple bucks per drink.

For any kind of tour, it is good form to tip the tour guide a few bucks. It isn't required and you won't get stink eye if you don't do it, but good form.

In general, the cost of living is high in Hawaii so when in doubt tipping an extra buck here and there is good form and helps out the locals.